Chapter 144

HAZEL

Nora heaved where she stood a few feet away. It was a morbid sight—all the bodies that lay scattered, some in pieces and others like dolls—you’d think they were just asleep.

The smell of decay rose in clouds; my eyes wouldn’t be able to see in a shade other than red for quite some time.

“You did good,” Zade stopped in front of me.

“So did you,” I said.

I looked at his hand, remembering the Elder’s wound.

“You were tied to him,” I said.

“Like a dog on a leash—all Demons were. Some gnarly witch told him about the spell, she’s next on my list before I head back. Can’t let this be repeated. The bastard built himself an army. With the tie came certain rules, we couldn’t disobey his orders, forced to live by his word until he died. Only then would the bond break.”

“You couldn’t ask someone to kill him?” I asked.

“His orders were very clear, he was a paranoid, power-hungry, tyrant, he took every aspect of safety into consideration